How to choose the best car service in San Diego — and where EGT fits
A straight guide: the five things that actually separate a good operator from a bad one, the exact questions to ask before you book, and an honest read on when EGT is the right call and when it isn't.
The short version
Judge any San Diego car service on five things: license (TCP), pricing transparency, driver quality, fleet, and reviews — and ask for the license number and the exact all-in price before booking. EGT is built around all five (TCP #0046494-A, flat no-surge rates, a named driver, an all-electric fleet, public reviews). But we'll say it plainly: for a solo rider on the tightest budget, the Trolley or a standard rideshare can win. EGT is the right call when reliability, a fixed price, discretion, or the vehicle itself matters.
The 5 criteria that actually matter
- License & insurance. A legitimate California car service holds a TCP (Transportation Charter Party) permit from the CPUC and carries commercial insurance. If a service can't give you a TCP number, that's a red flag — it means no regulated insurance or driver standards behind your ride. (EGT: TCP #0046494-A.)
- Pricing transparency. The best operators quote a flat, all-in price that's locked at booking. Watch for surge pricing, vague "starting at" quotes, per-minute wait fees, and airport surcharges that appear later. (EGT: published flat rates, no surge, quoted before you book.)
- Driver quality. A named, background-checked driver you can count on beats a rotating pool of contractors — it's the difference between a professional who knows the route and a stranger who accepted a ping. (EGT: named drivers, consistent where possible.)
- The fleet. The vehicle should fit the trip and the impression — passenger count, luggage, and standard. (EGT: all-electric — BMW i7 for 2, Rivian R1S for up to 4, Cadillac Escalade IQ-L for up to 5.)
- Real reviews. Look for verifiable, recent reviews on independent platforms, not just testimonials on the company's own site.
The exact questions to ask before you book
- "Are you TCP-licensed and insured — what's the number?"
- "What's the exact total price, and can it change? Any surge, wait-time, or airport fees?"
- "Will I have the same named driver, and are drivers background-checked?"
- "Do you track flights for airport pickups, and what happens if I'm delayed?"
- "What's the cancellation policy?"
A trustworthy operator answers all five plainly. If a service dodges the price or the license question, that tells you what you need to know.
How EGT measures up
| Criterion | Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Typical black-car/limo | EGT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Variable, surges | Often quote-only | Published flat, no surge |
| Driver | Rotating pool | Varies | Named, consistent |
| Fleet | Whatever shows up | Gas sedans/SUVs | 100% electric luxury |
| License | TNC (platform) | TCP (usually) | TCP #0046494-A |
| Owner accountability | None (app) | Varies | Owner answers the phone |
EGT's whole model is publishing what most operators hide — real rates, real availability, and the honest math — so there's nothing to pry out of a salesperson.
When EGT is not the right pick
We'd rather tell you the truth than win a ride you'll regret. If you're a solo traveler on the tightest budget, a standard rideshare or the San Diego Trolley will usually cost less than a private car — and for some short downtown hops, that's genuinely the smart move. EGT earns its price when there are two or more of you (the per-seat math flips), when you can't be late (a flight, a court date, a medical shift), when you want a fixed cost with no surprises, or when discretion or the vehicle itself is part of the point. That honesty is exactly why the riders who do fit us, stay.
Ask us anything before you book
License, exact price, driver, cancellation — an owner will answer all of it in one call.
Call (858) 522-0264